All was ready to move into my new home in Lewes next Tuesday. My property lawyer now wants me to supply her with proof of content and building insurance for the property as as she informs me that she is duty bound to validate that it is in order for the lender. What does the insurance need to cover?

Any lawyer on acting for lenders would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements. These obligations are not specific to conveyancing in Lewes.

It is is a decade since I purchased my house in Lewes. Conveyancing lawyers have just been retained on the sale but I am unable to track down my deeds. Is this a major issue?

Don’t worry too much. First the deeds may be with your mortgage company or they could be in the possession of the conveyancers who acted in the purchase. Secondly the likelihood is that the property will be registered at the land registry and you will be able to prove you own the property by your conveyancing solicitors acquiring up to date copy of the land registers. Most conveyancing in Lewes involves registered property but in the rare situation where your home is unregistered it is more problematic but is not insurmountable.

I am purchasing a new build house in Lewes with a loan from Birmingham Midshires. The builders would not move on the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The house builders rep told me not to tell my lawyer about this side-deal as it could impact my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Lewes in advance of instructing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies may not give a loan on a flying freehold house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different instructions from Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Lewes. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Lewes to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

I am using a search engine for the phrase on line conveyancing in Lewes it shows results of many conveyancersin the area. How do I determine which is the suitable property lawyer for me?

The preferential way of seeking the right conveyancer is through a trusted testimonial, so enquire of colleagues and family who have acquired a property in Lewes or the reputable estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Lewes vary, so it's advisable to request at least three fee estimates from different law firms. Make sure that you know that the charges are guaranteed not to rise.